On Wednesday night Soudal-QuickStep workforce supervisor Jorgen Foré argued that Evenepoel has a contract with the Belgian workforce for 2026 however Evenepoel is sort of sure to spark a switch after the Tour de France and purchase out his contract so he can be a part of Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Ineos Grenadiers had been additionally linked to Evenepoel however have accepted he’ll transfer to Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
Below Belgian employment legislation, Evenepoel must pay a yr’s wage and maybe a little bit extra to go away Soudal-QuickStep a yr earlier than the tip of his contract.
A determine of seven million Euro has been steered as the worth of adjusting groups, with Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe more likely to cowl the fee as a part of a four-year mega-deal that may see Evenepoel turn into the German workforce’s new chief and Tour de France contender.
Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe workforce supervisor Ralph Denk introduced in a swath of recent efficiency workers and a few new riders after Pink Bull purchased a majority stake within the workforce final spring however the workforce has struggled to date in 2025.
Primoz Roglič and Jai Hindley crashed onerous on the Giro d’Italia and the workforce struggled within the Classics. In the meantime, Roglič has performed down his GC ambitions on the Tour de France after giving up 2:35 to Tadej Pogačar in six phases.
Evenepoel’s former Soudal-QuickStep teammate Gianni Moscon has already moved to Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Matteo Cattaneo and several other key workers and coaches are anticipated to maneuver with Evenepoel to Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe for 2026.
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Vanthourenhout is the most recent a part of the puzzle, even when his arrival shouldn’t be depending on Evenepoel’s eventual signing.
The previous Belgian nationwide coach loved a profitable spell with Remco Evenepoel, which ended with two gold medals within the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Vanthourenhout opted to go away the Belgian federation final yr however surprisingly didn’t land a senior place with a WorldTour workforce. He was not wished at Soudal-QuickStep, maybe as the stress rose with Evenepoel this winter.
Based on the Flemish media, Vanthourenhout will take up a hybrid workforce supervisor and sporting function from August 1.
“I’ve a brand new workforce. I’ve an settlement to work in biking sooner or later, however it’s lower than me to announce that,” Vanthourenhout hinted just lately on the ‘Vive Le Vélo’ night chat present in Belgium.
Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe tried to disclaim the information of Vanthourenhout’s arrival however the Flemish media are positive of his strategic function alongside Evenepoel within the workforce.
Based on Het Laatste Nieuws, Vanthourenhout has already held talks with Denk in current weeks. Vanthourenhout would work alongside present sporting director Ralph Aldag and the workforce’s efficiency workers and directeur sportif.
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